Legal Definitions - levee

A levee has two distinct meanings in a legal and practical context:

1. An artificial raised bank or wall, typically made of earth, constructed along the edge of a river, lake, or other body of water. Its primary purpose is to contain the water within its natural channel and prevent it from overflowing onto adjacent land, thereby protecting communities, agricultural areas, and infrastructure from flooding.

• Protecting Farmland: After a season of heavy rainfall, a major river in a rural area began to swell. Local authorities activated emergency protocols, ensuring that the extensive levee system protecting thousands of acres of fertile farmland was secure. This earthen barrier successfully held back the rising floodwaters, preventing crop destruction and safeguarding the livelihoods of many farmers.

  Explanation: This example illustrates a levee's role as a flood-control embankment, specifically protecting agricultural land from water damage.

• Safeguarding a Coastal City: A low-lying coastal city, vulnerable to storm surges and high tides, invested heavily in reinforcing its perimeter with a series of robust concrete and earth levees. During a severe hurricane, these protective structures were crucial in preventing the ocean from inundating residential neighborhoods and critical public services, demonstrating their function in urban flood defense.

  Explanation: Here, the levee is shown protecting an urban environment from both riverine and coastal flooding, highlighting its defensive purpose against water intrusion.

2. A designated landing area or wharf situated on the bank of a navigable waterway. This location serves as a point for boats and ships to dock, allowing for the efficient loading and unloading of cargo or the embarkation and disembarkation of passengers.

• Historic River Port: In the 19th century, bustling steamboats regularly pulled up to the busy levee in New Orleans, where cotton bales were loaded onto ships bound for Europe, and goods from around the world were unloaded for distribution inland. This specific area was vital for the city's commerce.

  Explanation: This example highlights the levee's function as a commercial docking and transfer point for goods in a historical context.

• Modern Ferry Terminal: Commuters waiting for the morning ferry gathered at the designated levee along the riverfront. As the ferry approached, it maneuvered precisely to the landing, allowing passengers to safely disembark and new passengers to board for their journey across the water.

  Explanation: This illustrates a levee as a specific landing structure used for passenger transport, emphasizing its role in facilitating safe boarding and disembarking.